Sparkling Rosé of Mourvèdre – 2021; Pebble Rock Cellars; Johnson City, Texas

Who doesn’t like a good Mourvèdre Rose?  Make a sparkling out of it, and what a lovely way to celebrate your day.  Sourced from Crooked Post Vineyards of the Texas High Plains AVA, this bubbly of delight is light, refreshing, and oh so pleasing on the palate. It has nice acids for that “ah” feel and with that extra CO2 bottle fermentation going for it, just be prepared for that extra “pop”. Break out your best cheese and snack tray or just sip on the porch when it’s summer weather temperatures during the southern winter months. Cheers!

www.pebblerockcellars.wine

Vivac Winery – Dixon, New Mexico

Next time on your road to Taos (or from), be sure to make a stop at this vineyard and winery before zipping past Dixon. This brothers and wives team venture started in 1998 as a place for making some quality wines from New Mexico. Spending some time abroad at wineries and vineyards in South America and Europe along with some UC Davis training has accumulated a wealth of experience and knowledge for their business.  Named for the Spanish term “high-altitude refuge”, the Padbergs have established three area estate vineyards to draw on from grapes with additional grapes sourced from the Deming area.  On the estate, are vines of Riesling, Petit Verdot, Pinot Meunier, as well as some others. The hand built tasting room has been opened since 2003.  It is quite spacious, and you will be impressed with the designs and flagstone add-ons. Tasting is done by wine flights with a pick of four from their two-dozen plus list. We started off with the 2021 estate Riesling. It is a nice dry white with good notes of apples and pears plus solid acidity. Next, was the 2021 Pinot Noir. It was an easy drinking dry red with some smoky notes and good berry flavors. The 2020 Nebbiolo is more medium bodied, light red color, and solid tannins.  Do check out the 2018 red blend Devino. It’s mix of 40% Refosco, 40% Sangiovese, and 20% Montepulciano. This medium bodied jewel is rich in berry notes and has a smooth finish. Barbera fans rejoice!  Their 2020 release is quite fruity, floral, and luscious to enjoy. Syrah fans will be pleased with the 2019 Abbott. With tobacco notes, rich tannins, and mild acids, what’s not there to savor with this one. One of the more unusual reds you should try is the 2020 Refosco. This northern Italian variety seems to have adapted quite well in New Mexico and just might be your next red wine lover craving. There is about 15% of Cabernet Franc in this Refosco vintage and presents itself with big tannins, some currant, and rich berries.  Lastly, we got to taste the 2020 Aglianico. This vintage has 10% Syrah, 5% Abbott Syrah, 5% Refosco, and 5% Malbec mixed in which only adds to the aromas and flavors producing floral notes and berries along with earthy undertones and firm tannins. This one could also age quite nicely for the next 10 years. The surrounding views and overview of the estate vineyard will make a great wine pairing for your visit. Enjoy!

www.vivacwinery.com

Rivenyates – 2017; Kerrville Hills Winery; Kerrville, Texas

Most everyone in the Texas wine world knows John Rivenburgh and Ron Yates for the great wines they make at their respective wineries. However, what would happen if the two winemakers collaborated on a bottle and combined forces to blend their way to something unique together? Say for example, “you got Tannat in my Tempranillo” or vice versa?  Either way, it just might be the next new wave of Texas red wine creative blending and artful creation.  Sourced from the Texas High Plains AVA, the Tannat was crafted by John and Ron made the Tempranillo.  This co-conspirator “T&T” red blend is some pretty darn good stuff.  Even at six years old, it still showcases great fruit forward aromas, nice bright acids, and a respectable mouth soothing feel, along with a long-lasting finish. The only other thing you will want to do is pair with your best meaty dish.  Nothing short of delicious will reign from your vocal cords with this beast. It’s drinking nicely now and should last a few more years, too. Meanwhile, you can ponder what would the next creation of J&R or R&J wine blend be. Enjoy this one and savor each sip of this special jewel! 

www.kerrvillehillswinery.com

Charbono – 2014; Bending Branch Winery; Comfort, Texas

Hello 2014 Charbono! Sourced from Zenter Vineyards of the Sierra Foothills AVA, this garnet-colored jewel is a real treat to enjoy.  Do start off by decanting for at least 30 minutes before savoring this beauty.  Note how the red fruit and berry notes really shine well in this wine. The deep rich flavors are enticing especially the cherries. There is also just a touch of woodiness in this very well-balanced red wine. This bottle is aging quite well, so continue to hold if you have a few extra bottles as it can continue to cellar longer.  Cheers!

www.bendingbranchwinery.com

Branca Verde – 2021; Adega Vinho Winery; Stonewall, Texas

Arinto lovers rejoice! This Texas Hill Country AVA fruit has the Arinto (75% blend) sourced from the Bilger Family Vineyards estate. Added to this lovely Texas white wine is 25% Chardonnay sourced from Texas Hills Vineyard.  What you get is a great citrus aromatic nose along with notes of lemons.  This light-straw colored white wine is crisp, with good acids, and a light body.  This is a great warm weather refresher, so chill this one to enjoy. It is a food friendly wine that can be enjoyed with your favorite light dishes like salads, veggies, foul, cheese, and fish dishes for a lovely pairing.  Saúde!

www.adegavinho.com

Ground Control – NV; William Chris Vineyards; Hye, Texas

Behold, all Mason County fruit in this big beast!  Sourced from Parr Vineyards, Tallent Vineyards, and Blackmon Ranch Vineyard, this special winemaker’s series creation does honor to Mason County grown wine. Blended with 80% Tempranillo and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, this big bold red wine was released in the Fall of 2019 and has some great minerality to it as well as being a well-balanced blend. You will do this wine justice by exercising patients and letting it breathe for about 45 minutes to really let the best characteristics of this wine unfold. Plums, cherries, and a little bit of blackberry will reign supreme on your palate with every sip. The finish is super fine and will entice you to come back for more. This beauty is made to pair with your favorite fatty aged meat.  Enjoy!

www.williamchriswines.com

La Chiripada Winery – Dixon, New Mexico

How can one not do a wine trekking adventure in New Mexico without stopping at the oldest winery in the state? This small family run winery in the Rio Embudo Valley was founded by Michael and Patrick Johnson. Named after the original site ranch meaning “stroke of luck”, they have transformed this ponderosa into a top-notch wine producing winery. Vines were originally planted on the estate in 1977 and the tasting room was opened in 1981. In addition, grapes are also sourced from the Mimbres Valley near Deming, New Mexico. In 2020, the Johnsons gave full winemaking reins to Katie Hagan who had been working there for a while. Yes, that Katie from some of your favorite 90’s movies! She has made an impressive list of wines to choose from and best of all, tastings are free! With at least two dozen wines to choose from (or all of them), there will be a style of wine for you to enjoy. Below was our selection for the day. First up, was the 2021 Chardonnay. With just 3% Muscat in this one, notes of apples will delight your wine senses for this light and crisp wine. The next white was the 2021 Winemakers Select. This blend of Vidal Blanc, Seyval Blanc, Chardonel, Riesling, Pinot Grigio, and Viognier may pack a lot of different varieties, but you’ll be pleased with the fruit forward sensation and mixed palate feel. There is also a great apple wine on the list that you absolutely must try called Embudo Blanco. With 10% field grapes added, you’ll be very pleased with the fruit forward apple freshness and crisp texture of this fruit wine. For the reds, we started off with the 2018 Winemakers Select. This 50/50 blend of Shiraz and Ruby Cabernet has great pepper and raspberry notes along with some smokiness and good tannins. Next up is the Rio Embudo red blend. This mix of Leon Millot, DeChaunac, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Shiraz will envelop your wine senses with berry aromas and a smooth mouthfeel. Getting into the bolder reds, the 2020 Vintners’ Reserve is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Ruby Cabernet, 25% Tempranillo, and 25% Petite Sirah. What you get for this two year American and Hungarian Oak aged blend are great cherry notes and a super dry feel for you hard core red wine drinkers.  Not to be left out, the 2019 Tempranillo also shines with delicious blackberry notes and leather. Petite Sirah fans will be thrilled with the 2019 release. It punches you with rich plums and a good tobacco feel with a bit more tannins than the previous reds. Save their 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon for last and relish this old-world style wine with cherries and vanilla to delight your palate. Fear not, port lovers are not left out! First, try the 2019 Vino de Oro. This white dessert wine beast from Muscat grapes is not only fortified with some fine Brandy but will shine with a luscious mouthfeel and great mango and peach flavors. For the finale, dive into the 2018 New Mexico Port. This fortified Ruby Cabernet monster not only reflects its Hungarian oak aging but is also silky smooth. No worries if you missed something during your tasting session, just come back, try again, and don’t forget to retaste your favorites from the last time. You will also be impressed with the lovely native designs on the labels too. Many of these wines have taken top awards at several recognized wine competitions. Currently in the works are a dry Rosé, Merlot, and a Gewurztraminer. Next time you’re on your way up HWY 68 to Taos (or back from), take a quick detour through Dixon and check out this winery. Cheers!

www.lachiripada.com

Touriga Nacional – 2017; Real Companhia Velha; Douro, Portugal

Breath in this immense fruit forward Portuguese Touriga! Sourced from Quinta das Carvalhas, the aromas will be blackberries and plums as you elegantly pour this deep ruby red colored wine. It is quite dry to the taste and the fruit flavors are a bit lighter with red berries being the most discernable.  There is a nice creamy vanilla note along with a hint of chocolate to complement the fruit. It is about medium all the way from body, to acids, to tannins, to finish, but that finish does have a little more grip to it. Do not hold back on your favorite protein pairing with this one as it can stand up to the meat. This wine can also cellar longer if you have extra bottles. It should mature quite well in the next 5 years. Saúde!

www.realcompanhiavelha.pt

Barbera – 2017; Solaro Estate Winery; Dripping Springs, Texas

This estate red wine sourced from the Texas Hill Country AVA pours a garnet color with rich plum aromas. There is also a touch of chocolate notes on the nose of this one.  The acids are quite bright for this medium bodied Barbera, so pair appropriately. Let’s label this one on the plus side of tannins along with a lovely oak finish. It will certainly pair nicely with your best fatty Italian dish, so serve up and enjoy.  Cin Cin!

www.solaroestate.com